Idea Competition

Organzier: KIT FORGE
Audience: Students
Language: German, English
Cost: Free of charge

Win with your Idea

Even your small idea can become something big. Whether it’s for social impact, the next air taxi, or another crazy venture, take the plunge and join in. In our annual idea competition, we reward the best ideas with cash prizes and tickets to exclusive startup events.

KIT FORGE organizes the ideas competition to bring the topic of entrepreneurship into focus. A small idea can turn into something big. We’ll help you get there with consulting services, support, our network, and great events. The third edition took place in the winter semester of 2025.

Deadline is over

The idea competition of 2026 is already over. Follow our channels so you don’t miss the next competition.

An idea is all it takes. No business plan, no team name, no prior startup experience – if you have an idea with the potential for a starting point, you can participate. At the annual KIT FORGE Idea Competition, students and researchers pitch their ideas for a chance to win cash prizes, pitch training, and tickets to exclusive startup events. Whether it's social impact, deep tech, or the next bold venture – the competition is open to anything with potential.

The event concludes with an award ceremony – but the real prize is taking that first step: KIT FORGE supports you with advisory services, networking, and resources long after the competition ends. A small idea can turn into something big.

How it works

Pitch your idea as a video

Step by step

Find your idea
Record your video (2 min) on your cell phone
Upload the video file here
Win up to 500 euros

Note: You can submit in German or English.

The prizes

We have great prizes for the top 5 in our 3rd edition. In addition to cash prizes, there will be exclusive tickets for the KIT Innovators Homecoming and other startup events, as well as products from our startups.

1st place: 500 euros
2nd place: 400 euros
3rd place: 300 euros
4th place: 100 euros
5th place: 100 euros

Who can participate?

All Students at KIT

You don’t need any prior knowledge of startups, nor do you have to be on the verge of founding a company or have a name for your team. An idea that has the potential to get off the ground is all you need.

Our selection criteria

Our jury consists of startup consultants and real founders from our team. They make their decision based on the following selection criteria:

Degree of innovation of the idea
Feasibility (practicality)
Market potential and target group
Quality of presentation and pitch
Sustainability and social value

We want to get you excited about entrepreneurship and invite you to immerse yourself in the Karlsruhe startup scene. If you already feel like getting involved, then why not check out one of our events?

Winners of 2024

Meet the winners of the last year

Last year, we had a fantastic conclusion to the 2024 ideas competition at TRIANGEL. Our prize winners were announced in front of a packed audience. In the end, Oscar Streif came out on top with his idea “GoFizz” and took first place.